Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 5 March 2014
107. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection the procedures in place to prevent overpayments and underpayments in respect of unemployment-related payments and supports; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11141/14]
View answerIncorrect payments can occur for a number of reasons, including customer or third party error, Departmental error or fraud. The Department makes every effort to ensure that the correct payment is made to the correct customer at the correct time and has measures in place to help ensure that this occurs including ongoing reviews of claims, staff training, detailed scheme guidelines, explanatory circulars and investigation of entitlement by the inspectorate. When a jobseeker’s claim is awarded, or if entitlement has changed following review, details of the decision are notified to the customer setting out the revised decision, the amount payable (where applicable) and how that amount is calculated. This information includes a breakdown of any means assessment. While this detail helps the customer understand their payment, it can also assist in highlighting any errors in the calculation.
Claims are reviewed on an ongoing basis to ensure that customers continue to receive their correct entitlement. However, not all reviews are initiated by the Department as a customer can request a review of entitlement at any time. The Department strives at all times to ensure that people are paid their correct entitlement and to amend that payment in a timely fashion where entitlement changes, such as where a customer notifies a relevant change in his/her circumstances. If the Deputy has a specific case in mind and he wishes to forward the details, I will arrange to have it examined by the Department.
